Hello friends!
It's the start of another week for this challenge. Yes... it's Day 8 and a week has past since this started. :) I hope everyone who joined me in this challenge are enjoying it every day! ^^ No pressure, let's all have fun! :)
As for Day 8's topic, it's all about travel or places that we want to visit someday. To be honest, I'm not really into traveling especially in very crowded places but if given the chance, there are a lot of places I want to go to in one country, Japan.
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As many of you know, I'm a Japanophile! I have been in love with this country for a long time. It just started with anime when I was young, but as I got to know more of its culture, history, literature and other subcultures, I just can't help but fall in love more.
Of course, Japan isn't perfect. I am aware of the negative things about the country, but my interest outweighs everything else. I even self-studied the language, though I'm usually lazy to really focus on it. lol
I have never been there... and I have never been abroad. And ohh, I have never been to other places in the Philippines aside from some places in Cebu and Negros. Perhaps, I'm not that much into traveling as other people. haha
LET'S START!!!
NACHI TAISHA (Kumano Kodo)
This place is part of Kumano Kodo pilgrimage trail. It's called Nachi Taisha. If people want to take the whole hiking route, it'll take days to do so. If I get the chance, I'd like to challenge myself with this. However, it's also possible to go directly to this route.
The picture I showed above is located in Wakayama, but Kumano Kodo full trail involves three prefectures which are Wakayama, Mie and Nara. This place is actually a World Heritage Site.
I first knew of this place when one of my Japanese students who live there shared about it. Another student also told me some interesting stories about this trail which occurred years ago. It's sacred and I think very solemn. I like this relaxing place. :) And I bet this place is less crowded than all the other famous places in the country. :)
It's funny how some of my Japanese students don't even know this place. So I'm quite positive that it'll be a challenging, yet relaxing trip! ^^
Nikko-Toshogu Shrine (Nikko, Tochigi)
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When it comes to shrines, temples, historical and traditional places, a lot of people would definitely say Kyoto. Well, I would love to go to Kyoto, too. However, I can imagine how a lot of tourists go to these popular places.
A student of mine who lives in Kyoto once told me that when she went to one of the famous temples there with her friends, she can hardly see Japanese people. They're full of tourists! haha Well, I can't blame the tourists, since the place is pretty amazing!
However, there is a place somewhere in the east which is known for its traditional and historical shrines and temples as well. It's in Nikko, Tochigi.
The image above is the gate to Nikko-Toshogu Shrine. Actually, in this place there are three different shrines. There's also an old village which resembles the old times (probably Edo period).
One of the reasons why I want to go to this place is because it is said that this place enshrines Tokugawa Ieyasu. He's one of the famous people in Japanese history. He once formed a strong alliance with Oda Nobunaga. During the Sengoku period where power and betrayal are a part, he has remained loyal to him. Well, only to Oda though.
I have a student who I usually talk about Japanese history with and this period together with Heian and Edo are our favorite topics. Somehow, I'm influenced by her love for Japanese history. haha
Shikoku Karst, especially at night (Well, whole Shikoku Island)
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Stargazing is LOVE!
Well, there are a lot of other places to go stargazing, but the view from Shikoku karst looks phenomenal! It's in the countryside part, so it's going to be relaxing. Though, not very convenient.. lol
To be honest, I really want to go around the whole Shikoku Island. This includes Ehime, Kochi, Tokushima and Kagawa. There are just a lot of stuff to see there. :)
I would love to see Naruto Bridge which is in Tokushima. :) And if I'm not mistaken, Naruto bridge is connected to Awaji Island which houses a Naruto theme park! I really want to go there as well. ^^
Those are my top 3 places that I want to visit someday. Of course, I would love to go to other places to visit my friends there like in Osaka, Himeji, Shizuoka, Saitama, Tokyo, etc. I will definitely need an entire year to satisfy myself! LOL However, Japan is expensive, so yeah. T_T
Aside from Japan, I'd like to visit my bestie in the US, too! I also want to visit my cousins in Canada. :) Who knows? I might be able to go to these places someday!
And that's it for my Day 8. :) See you tomorrow for Day 9! Take care and have a great one! :)
